Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has delivered a concerning update on winger Harvey Barnes, stating that the player may face an extended period on the sidelines due to a foot injury.
Barnes, who joined Newcastle in a £39 million summer transfer from Leicester City, made only his second Premier League start for the Magpies during Sunday’s commanding 8-0 victory over Sheffield United.
Unfortunately, Barnes had to be substituted in just the 12th minute of the match and was later spotted leaving Bramall Lane wearing a protective boot. The 25-year-old has since undergone a scan to assess the extent of his injury, and while the results are pending, Howe has disclosed that Barnes has suffered a “significant” issue in his foot, which could potentially require surgery.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup third-round clash with Manchester City, Howe provided further details on Barnes’ injury, stating, “I believe it’s a lower foot injury, just below the metatarsals. It appears to be quite a substantial injury. We’ve conducted scans, and we are awaiting further information on whether surgery is necessary.”
Barnes himself was understandably disheartened by the injury, as he recognized its seriousness. Howe refrained from providing a precise timetable for Barnes’ return, stating, “We are concerned – and I don’t want to speculate until we consult with the specialist – that his absence may extend into months rather than weeks. We will offer him our complete support. He is a top-quality player.”
In addition to Barnes, Newcastle is also dealing with the absences of midfielders Joelinton, who is nursing a knee injury and is expected to remain sidelined for another seven to 10 days, and Joe Willock, who is recovering from a hamstring issue and is not anticipated to return until after the next international break in mid-October.
Howe emphasized the need to assess the physical condition of the entire squad following Sunday’s match and acknowledged that some players are carrying injuries. Given the upcoming schedule, he stressed the importance of utilizing the squad effectively.
“We need to evaluate everyone’s physical condition following Sunday’s match. There are a few players with specific injuries,” Howe commented. “We have players who are eager to play and demonstrate their abilities. We will need to make the most of our squad, especially considering our upcoming fixtures next week.”
